Dispensing top for containers



- pril 14, 1936. Rjv. BURDlcK 2,037,115

DISPENSING TOP FOR CONTAINERS Filed July 25, 1955 Patented Apr. 14, 1936 grrss PATENT vossia Application' July 25,

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to dispensing containers or the like, and more specifically comprehends the provision of a novel construction swivel cap. There are of course various types' of caps employed in this connection, but irrespective of the particular construction employed, it is necessary to use both hands in either opening or closing the container.

In addition to the above, there is another type of dispensing container known to the art, to which the present invention relates, wherein use is made of a perforated shutter mounted upon the outer end of the neck of the container and subsequently encased in a stationary cap. The cap is crimped or otherwise permanently connected to the neck and utilized in part to maintain the shutter in place. These constructions not only entail an assembly cost o-f vital importance, but have not proven satisfactory, unless made in brass, which materially enhances the cost of manufacture. Consequently they have never been put into general use.

It is therefore one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a novel 'construction of .a sifter top for containers capable of being easily and conveniently manipulated by one hand, and which forms a permanent part of the container, thereby eliminating the trouble and annoyance usually resulting from dropping,

' losing, or misplacing a removable part.

An equally important object of the invention resides in the provision of a sifter top construction primarily intended to be made from tin Y plate, and one which possesses the same high degree of efl'iciency and smoothness in operation,

as it would if made from brass, together with a material reduction in the cost of manufacture.

In carrying out the invention I comprehend the use of a perforated shutter associated with the neck of the container in a novel and unique manner, whereby the assembly cost is materially reduced by the elimination of certain operations necassary in other containers of the type above referred to in order to maintain the component Y 1935, Serial No. 33,119

of the contents of the container is reduced to a minimum.

Other objects and advantages will appear when the following detail description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this application like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a container embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view.

Figure 3 is a sectional View on line 3 3 of Figure 2. v

Figure 4 is a similar view of a slightly modied construction.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the shutter.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the inner shell.

While I have illustrated and described the instant invention as a dispensing top, primarily intended for powder containers or the like, its general application as a sifter top for other types of containers is contemplated by the claims.

The dispensing top embodying the subject matter of the instant invention may of course be made from brass or any other suitable material, although it is primarily intended to be constructed from tin plate possessing the same high degree of smoothness and eiiiciency in operation it would possess if constructed from more costly material. 'Ihe invention essentially embodies a relatively long outer shell l0, constituting the neck of the container as illustrated, a compara-4 tively short inner shell I I and a rotatably mounted shutter I2. The outer shell I Il is formed with a perforated end wall I3, which of course may be provided with one or more perforations of any suitable outline from which the contents of the container are dispensed. 'Ihe wall of the outer 40 shell IU may be straight at its point of juncture with the end wall I3 as shown in Figuresl 1 and 3, or it may be characterized with a laterally projecting bulge or bead M at this point as indicated in Figure 4. In either event the wall of the outer shell I0 immediately adjacent the end wall I3 is formed with a slot I5, the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

The inner shell II is snugly tted within the outer shell III and supported thereby in juxtaposition with the end wall I3 thereof. The inner shell II is provided with a perforated end wall I6 slightly spaced from the perforated end wall I3 of the outer shell, and the perforations of these respective end walls I3 and I 6 of said 55 shells are disposed in registration .with each other. The inner shell II is proportioned to prol vide for a driving t within the outer shell I0,

whereby these component parts are held associated by friction, thus eliminating a crimping operation or any additional means whatsoever to maintain the parts operatively related.

Operating between the perforated end walls I3 and I6 of the respective shells is a perforated shutter I2 mounted for partial rotation, and of course utilized to control the discharge of the contents of the container. Projecting laterally from the shutter I2 is a finger engaging lug I'I for operating the shutter, and obviously this lug operates through the slot I5 of the outer shell. The length of the slot I5 limits the rotary movement of the shutter in either direction, so that when the latter is turned in one direction its perforations are brought into registration with the perforations of the end walls I3 and I6 of said shells, and when shifted in a reverse direction the perforations of the shutter are moved out of registration with the perforations of said end walls I3 and I6, thereby effectively closing the container. The shutter I2 is snugly fitted between the end Walls I3 and I6 of said shells, but is held centralized to insure a smooth and ecient operation thereof.

For this purpose the end wall I6 of the inner shell is preferably formed with a cone like depression I8 constituting a bearing for the pivot I9 depending from the shutter I2 as clearly illustrated. It is to be particularly observed that the inner shell Il and shutter I2 are fitted within the outer shell and frictionally maintained operatively related. Consequently by the elimination of any and all crimping operations, or the use of any additional means to hold the component parts of the top associated, it is manifest that not only is the assembly cost of manufacture materially reduced, but a very smooth and efficient operation of the shutter provided for, with casual sifting or loss of the contents of the container reduced to a minimum. The shutter I2 is frictionally maintained in either of its two given positions. It is by virtue of the construction and novel association of the component parts of the top that the latter can be manufactured from tin plate and possess the same degree of smoothness and efciency in operation as it would possess if made from more costly material. Furthermore, it Will be noted that the top in its entirety forms an integral part of the container, having no removable parts, and one that can be very conveniently manipulated by one hand.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it known that I do not limit myself to what is herein illustrated or described and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A ydispensing top for containers or the like including an outer shell having a perforated end wall and constituting the neck of the container, a comparatively short inner shell having a driving fit Within the outer shell and frictionally supported by the wall of the latter, said inner shell having a perforated end wall disposed in spaced confronting relation with the end wall of the outer shell, a perforated shutter rotatably mounted between the respective end walls of said shells, and means whereby said shutter is operated.

2. A dispensing top for containers or the like including an outer shell having-a perforated end wall and constituting the neck of the container, a comparatively short inner shell frictionally supported by the wall of the outer shell and having a perforated end wall disposed in close proximity to the end wall of the outer shell, a perforated shutter pivotally mounted between the respective end walls of said shells and frictionally maintained in a given position, and means whereby said shutter is operated.

3. A dispensing top for containers or the like including an outer shell having a perforated end wall and a slot and constituting the neck of the container, a comparatively short inner shell snugly fitted within the outer shell and frictionally supported by the wall of the latter, said inner shell having a perforated end wall disposed in close proximity to the end wall of the outer shell, a perforated shutter rotatably mounted between the respective end walls of said shells and having a centralizing pivot, and a finger engaging lug projecting from the shutter and operating in said slot.

4. A dispensing top for containers or the like including an outer shell having a perforated end wall and a slot and constituting the neck of the container, a comparatively short inner shell frictionally supported by the wall of the outer shell and having a perforated end wall disposed in close proximity to the en-d wall of the outer shell, said end wall,of the inner shell having a central depression constituting a bearing, a perforated shutter rotatably mounted between the respective end walls of said shells and frictionally maintained thereby in a given position, a pivot depending from said shutter and operating in said bearing, and a finger engaging lug projecting from the shutter and operating in said slot.

RALPH V. BURDICK. 

